ATTENTION AND INNOVATION
The adhesives market has seen an increase in importance as packaging processes and materials continue to improve.
By Bobby Douglas
VERSATILITY AND SUSTAINABILITY
These companies are driving innovation in the meat and seafood packaging sector.
By Bobby Douglas
Meat and seafood packaging is a unique challenge for producers of both machinery and materials.
Courtesy of Velteko
In a sector as large as meat and seafood, packaging practices and innovations are deserving of continual focus. Dealing with these products comes with enhanced challenges due to stringent hygiene and quality requirements, affecting all aspects of the packaging process, from machinery to materials. In the last year, developments in the meat and seafood packaging industry have focused on ease-of-use, versatility and sustainability.
First, Velteko expanded its range of vertical packaging machines with its WASHDOWN-360, a waterproof piece of equipment that is ideal for packaging meat and seafood, along with some liquid products. The machine is made of stainless steel, allowing it to endure high pressure washdown practices that add hygienic stability.
On the materials side, SEE developed a protein-safe compostable overwrap tray made from biobased products, making it a viable alternative to expanded polystyrene, which is typically used for meat packaging but has recyclability limitations. Additionally, Coveris expanded its barrier films capabilities by introducing vacuum skin packaging (VSP), which helps limit product waste by extending product shelf-life by up to 25 days.
Learn more about these innovations below.
Velteko Offers Packaging Machines for Operations Requiring High Hygiene Standards
Velteko has expanded its range of vertical packaging machines to include a machine with a hygienic design. This packaging machine is adapted for use in operations that require higher standards of hygiene and sanitation, and the IP69K certification means it can be cleaned using pressure washing. The VELTEKO WASHDOWN-360 vertical packaging machine can be used in operations with more stringent hygiene requirements as well as anywhere that liquids need to be packaged.
The VELTEKO WASHDOWN-360 vertical packaging machine can be used wherever more stringent hygiene standards are required. This particularly includes the food industry — such as for the packaging of frozen food, meat, fish or sauces — and other operations where liquid or semi-liquid products are packaged in conditions requiring higher standards of cleanliness.
The machine is designed to be waterproof, with special emphasis on ensuring it is easy to wash and clean off product residues, dust, grease and bacteria. It is resistant to cleaning chemicals, and water runs off the surface faster. Furthermore, its hygienic design significantly shortens the entire process of sanitizing the machine.
READ MORE
Waterproof and hygienic design
In practice, WASHDOWN machines — the name Velteko uses for this series — are easy to thoroughly clean with pressurized water. Increased hygiene requirements are reflected in the overall design of the machine.
"We designed the VELTEKO WASHDOWN series so as to ensure that there are no hard-to-clean spots, such as corners or depressions where liquids can accumulate and bacteria can multiply. The machine also has a minimum of large horizontal surfaces in which water can accumulate," says Tomáš Šmíd from the VELTEKO development department, describing the construction of the machine. He adds that the suitably dimensioned stainless-steel structure and high-quality branded components naturally also result in a machine that will function for a long time and require little maintenance.
Given its expected use in food processing operations, the machine complies with demanding hygiene standards and meets the conditions of IP69k protection. It can therefore be cleaned with high-pressure hot water.
Wide range of uses
Despite the design and the emphasis on operational hygiene, the WASHDOWN series retains all the advantages offered by VELTEKO vertical packaging machines. The machine can pack up to 160 bags per minute and can easily handle large, fragile or liquid products. The maximum volume per packed bag is up to 20 liters. The machine can package goods in a wide range of different bags. The maximum width of the bag seam is 360 mm.
Furthermore, the VELTEKO WASHDOWN-360 can be integrated easily into complex packaging lines following the customer’s specific requirements.
The VELTEKO 360 WASHDOWN is ideal for products that require strict hygiene practices.
Courtesy of Velteko
The VELTEKO 360 WASHDOWN is ideal for products that require strict hygiene practices.
Courtesy of Velteko
COLLAPSE ARTICLE ABOVE
SEE Launches Compostable Tray for Protein Packaging
In its continuing pursuit to develop packaging materials that meet the sustainability goals of its customers, global packaging solutions provider SEE (NYSE: SEE) has developed the first biobased, industrial compostable tray for protein packaging that has been successfully tested to meet the demands of existing food processing equipment.
SEE’s new CRYOVAC® brand compostable overwrap tray is made from biobased, food-contact grade resin, which is USDA-certified as having 54% biobased content chemically derived from renewable wood cellulose. The tray, which will break down into organic material without leaving toxic residue, was created as an alternative to those made from expanded polystyrene (EPS), which are traditionally used to package fresh poultry and red meat for consumer purchase but are not biodegradable or recyclable.
READ MORE
Proven Strength and Certified Compostable
Developed to offer the same performance and stability as EPS foam trays, SEE’s lightweight tray underwent extensive trials across the food value chain where it survived rigorous manufacturing systems, extreme temperatures, and demanding shipping and distribution environments without breaking, cracking, or leaking.
The tray has been tested (without added components such as the overwrap film, pad, label, or sticker) and certified by BPI to be industrial compostable, meaning it can be broken down by biological treatment at a large-scale industrial composting facility where available. The resin used to make the tray has been certified by TÜV Austria as soil and marine biodegradable, which means it is degraded by microorganisms existing naturally in the environment.
“SEE is proud to bring to market the first compostable packaging tray designed to run on existing processor production lines,” said Tobias Grasso, SEE’s President of the Americas Region. “The CRYOVAC® brand compostable overwrap tray is a breakthrough innovation that is better for the environment than traditional trays and helps our customers meet their sustainability goals.”
Commitment to Sustainability
The CRYOVAC® brand compostable overwrap tray is part of SEE’s broader commitment to sustainability. The company has pledged to design and advance all its packaging solutions to be recyclable or reusable, to eliminate waste by incorporating an average of 50% recycled or renewable content into packaging solutions, and to collaborate on recycling technology and infrastructure.
SEE’s Impact Report for FY22 details the company’s sustainability commitments, industry leadership, innovative solutions, and global strategic partnerships. The report highlights SEE’s progress toward its sustainability goals including diverting waste from landfills and operational reductions in greenhouse gas emissions, energy, water intensity.
The new packaging stands out with its compostability and compatibility with existing processing equipment.
Courtesy of SEE
COLLAPSE ARTICLE ABOVE
Coveris Expands Barrier Film Capabilities to Produce Vacuum Skin Packaging
Coveris is expanding its barrier films capabilities to produce vacuum skin packaging (VSP). The expansion is supported by a multi-million pound investment at Coveris’ specialist extrusion site in Winsford, Cheshire, the UK’s largest blown extrusion facility of polyethylene (PE) films.
The investment at Coveris Winsford includes the opening of a dedicated manufacturing hall and installation of the latest VSP conversion equipment. Coveris Winsford’s manufacturing of vacuum skin packaging utilizes its market-leading co-extrusion capabilities and expertise in the production of nine-layer EVOH barrier film for meat, fish and dairy sectors.
READ MORE
The packaging allows for up to 25 days of additional shelf-life.
Courtesy of Coveris
Vacuum skin packaging is characterized by its skin-like appearance around products giving a high-quality appearance popular with consumers. Retailers can expect to achieve up to 25 days additional shelf-life and increased product security owing to the performance properties of VSP films versus traditional packaging formats. Coveris’ VSP films are validated on major standard skin packing lines and seal to PE, PET, PP, aluminium and cartonboard.
Responsible for driving innovation, Coveris Winsford is home to a Film Science Lab and technologists facilitating the advancement, optimization and validation of its award-winning films. An innovation project is underway to downgauge Coveris VSP films below the industry average for maximum benefit with minimum impact.
Sujoy Bose, Coveris Winsford’s Managing Director comments: “Coveris continues to be at the forefront of developing of high-performance, technical films. The addition of VSP films to Coveris Winsford’s product portfolio is an exciting opportunity to draw on our existing capabilities in multi-layer barrier films, supported by significant investment and innovation expertise. Complementing our current product range of specialist films for food sectors requiring EVOH barrier properties to prolong shelf-life and provide product safety and protection, the introduction of VSP films aligns with a key pillar of Coveris’ No Waste vision: no product waste.”
Learn more about Coveris.
COLLAPSE ARTICLE ABOVE
Bx
xx
READ MORE
xx
T.
Courtesy of
COLLAPSE ARTICLE ABOVE
About the author
XXX
